Monte Baldo Cable Car From Malcesine: Is the Ride Worth It, and What Do You Do at the Top?
Updated October 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Monte Baldo is the long ridge that runs down the eastern shore of Lake Garda, and the cable car from Malcesine is the easiest way onto it. In twenty minutes you go from a lakeside town to 1,760 metres, with the lake far below and the Alps in front of you. It is one of the few things at Lake Garda that is worth planning a day around, and one of the few that a bad forecast can ruin.
What the ride is
The operator, Funivie del Baldo, runs the cable car in two sections: Malcesine to San Michele, then San Michele to the top station at Tratto Spino. The second cabin rotates slowly on itself, so everyone gets the whole view without having to shuffle to a window. The operator gives the trip as around twenty minutes.
Prices for 2026, from the operator’s own page:
- Adults (born 2011 or earlier): €30 return, or €28 if you buy online. One way is €22 (€20 online).
- Juniors (born 2012 or later): €18 return (€16 online), €15 one way (€13 online).
- Children up to 1.20 m travel free.
The ticket is sold by the operator, not by a tour platform, so there is nothing to compare: buy it on their site and keep the €2 saving.
Opening hours matter more than the price. In 2026 the cable car runs from 4 April to 1 November, first ascent at 8:15 am, last ascent at 6:00 pm (4:00 pm from 5 October), with departures at least every half hour. The operator closes it for maintenance in March and, in 2026, from 2 November to 25 December, so a trip outside the season dates needs checking first. Departures also depend on the weather.
What you do at the top
Tratto Spino is a viewpoint, a restaurant stop and a starting point, not a destination in itself. Among the activities the operator lists up there:
- Walking. Paths for different levels start at the station. The operator describes a dirt road of about 30 minutes, or a ridge path of about 20 minutes, leading to the Prà Alpesina chairlift. Wear proper shoes, and bring a layer: it is a mountain, not the lake front.
- Paragliding. The operator lists it as an activity from the mountain; book it separately with a flying school.
- Mountain biking. The cable car has set times for carrying bikes, at 8:25 am, 8:55 am, 2:15 pm and 3:15 pm, with two more in the afternoon until early October.
Allow time for the walk before you decide how long to stay: the operator gives 20 to 30 minutes for the path to the chairlift alone.
Practical points
- Parking. The Malcesine station has an underground car park with 170 spaces. In high summer it fills, so arrive early.
- Dogs are allowed in the cabin with a muzzle and lead for a fee of €10 (€8 online).
- Strollers can go on board and do not need to be folded; the operator’s fare list shows a stroller rate of €10 (€8 online).
- Go on a clear day. A view of white fog is an expensive disappointment at €30. Look at the weather and the operator’s page before you set off, since departures depend on conditions.
If the weather is wrong
On a day when Monte Baldo is in cloud, the lake is usually still pleasant. Two options from Malcesine that work either way:
| Experience | Price | Duration | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panoramic cruise on a historic sailboat from Malcesine | €40 | 2 hours | 4.3 stars, 374 reviews |
| Organic mountain wines tour and tasting on Monte Baldo | €42 | 2 hours | 4.8 stars, 63 reviews |
The sailing trip takes you along the western side of the lake towards the La Forra waterfalls, and from the water you see Malcesine’s castle against the mountain. The wine tour is held on a terrace above the lake in the Monte Baldo area; it starts in Caprino Veronese, not at the cable car, so it is a separate trip rather than an add-on.
Who should skip it
- Anyone with a tight budget and a short stay. Two adults and two juniors pay €96 return, and any child over 1.20 m pays the junior fare.
- Anyone afraid of heights. The second section turns slowly in a rotating cabin, so you see the drop in every direction.
- Anyone arriving late in October. The last ascent moves to 4:00 pm from 5 October, which leaves little time at the top.
For more boat options on the lake, see the page on boat trips on Lake Garda.
Prices, hours and conditions are the operators’ own and can change; their booking pages show what applies on your date.
